Most Americans do not fully understand the pretrial portion of our justice system. While many know you are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, most don’t realize that hundreds of thousands of Americans sit in jail…
If you suddenly realize that you had too much to drink, can you pull over without facing criminal charges? Technically, you have committed the crime of DUI (assuming you are over the legal limit or “affected by” under the statute)…
There are many reasons a person can benefit from having a private attorney on the case before the arraignment. If you have been arrested, received a summons to appear, or you are trying to help a loved one through the…
Are you planning to attend holiday parties as the designated driver? Good for you! Just remember that there is some risk in taking on that role if you also use marijuana. Many recreational users of marijuana don’t understand that THC…
If you were recently arrested or received a Summons in the mail to appear on a criminal charge, it is important that you deal with your legal issues promptly. Many people want to put off dealing with the cost and…
People often call the office and ask about getting a “No Contact” Order against their obnoxious neighbor. While there is an order that can assist in this situation, it is not technically a No Contact Order. There are four types…
1. What Is an Arraignment? An arraignment is your first official court appearance after being charged with a crime. It is not a trial, and no witnesses will testify. Instead, it is a short hearing where the judge will: Inform…
Often, people accused of DUI or other crimes hear the term Pre-Trial Diversion Agreement, or PDA. Many people call to ask us “what is a PDA? and, is it a good deal?” I will answer that in two parts. 1.…
In Washington, any criminal charge related to drugs is properly called a Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (VUCSA). Under this Act, a person can be charged for drug possession, use, manufacturing, delivering or intent to deliver. With all…
What Is Probable Cause And Can I Challenge It? Probable Cause is a simple and yet tricky legal term. For defense attorneys, it is often a frustrating “gray” area that seems to frequently morph in favor of law enforcement. The…
